One piece fuse retainer



y 6 w. M. WILSON 3,251,967

ONE PIECE FUSE RETAINER Filed Jan. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Mam-"e 4% M4 504/ y 1966 w M. WILSON 3,251,967

ONE PIECE FUSE RETAINER Filed Jan. 2, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 k I NV ENTOR. I m M 756 flf/l aso/l/ 05172040145 @55 42/25,; fan? United States Patent 3,251,967 ONE PIECE FUSE RETAINER Walter M. Wilson, Greensburg, Pa., assignor to I-T-E Circuit Breaker Company, Philadelphia, .Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Jan. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 335,249

6 Claims. (Cl. 200113) The instant invention relates to fuses and more particularly to means for retaining fuses within their fuse supports to prevent release of fuses due to shock and vibration.

In applications requiring high capacity fuses one problem encountered in such applications has been that of release of the fuse from that of its fuse supports or clips due to shock or vibrations. Such shock or vibratory action may result in a release of the fuse from its fuse clips, thus preventing the fuse from performing its designated function, namely, that of providing current limiting protection against fault current or overload conditions. It is therefore important to provide suitable means to prevent fuses from disengaging from their mountings for any reason whatsoever.

The instant invention provides novel fuse retaining means which are self-locking to prevent any movement or disengagement of the fuse from its supports or fuse clips, while at the same time being easy to use, easy to mount and self-retaining in the locking position to protect the fuse from disengagement from its associated fuse clips.

The instant invention is comprised of a one-piece member formed of a spring-type, preferably non-ferrous material. A portion of the fuse retainer member has a cylindrical configuration and is positioned upon a fuse clip support means which is normally employed for mounting two or more fuses in parallel. A fuse retainer has at least first and second projecting ears extending from the cylindrical portion in the locking position. One of said ears is positioned above the ferrule or cap of the fuse so as to apply a downward force upon the fuse cap urging it into engagement with the fuse clip. The second pro jecting ear is readily accessible and amenable to having force applied against it so as to rotate the first ear away from engagement with the fuse cap in order to permit removal of the fuse from its fuse clip. In the locking .position the spring constant of the material provides a self-locking feature in order to maintain the fuse cap Within its fuse clip for an indefinite period.

As an alternative embodiment, the fuse retainer is designed to have a cylindrical portion mounted in the same manner as previously described and is provided with at least one projecting portion. The projecting portion has a cut-away configuration along one edge thereof which is substantially similar in shape to the cylindrical fuse cap. When in the locked position the projecting portion has first and second projecting ears which bear against the cylindrical surface of the fuse cap at first and second angular positions around the fuse cap. These projecting ears exert a force against the fuse cap acting to urge the cap downwardly into its associated fuse clip. The spring constant of the fuse retainer member is sufiicient to retain itself within the locking position for an indefinite period; The projecting portion is of sufficient length so as to provide a free projecting end which is readily accessible so as to move the fuse retainer means to the unlocked position. A third projecting ear is provided along the projecting portion in order to hold the retaining means against the fuse support assembly when the fuse retainer means is in the locked position. Both the unlocked and locked positions may be easily attained simply by rotation of the fuse retainer member about the rod upon which it is mounted.

3,251,967 Patented May 17, 1966 The fuse retainer means may be employed for individually mounted fuses as well as for two, three, or more fuses mounted in parallel arrangements. The fuse retainer means is simple in design, easy to use and may be readily mounted to already existing installations containing high capacity fuses without any modification whatsoever to the structures already in the field.

It is therefore one object of the instant invention to provide novel fuse retainer means for high capacity fuses and the like.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide novel fuse retainer means for high capacity fuses and the like which is comprised of a one-piece fuse retainer member which is self-locking in the retainer position so as to hold the fuse in the engaged position for an indefinite period of time.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a novel fuse retainer means for high capacity fuses and the like wherein the fuse retainer means is comprised of a single metallic member having a cylindrical portion mounted upon a suitable stationary rod and having a projecting portion engaging the fuse cap and urging the fuse cap into rigid engagement with the fuse clip when in the locked position.

These and other objects of the instant invention will become apparent when reading the accompanying description and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a fuse retainer member designed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention wherein the fuse retainer member is shown in the unlocked position.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the fuse retainer of FIGURE 1 in the locked position.

FIGURE, 3 is a perspective view. showing the fuse retainer of FIGURES 1 and 2 in greater detail.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment for the fuse retainer means of FIG- URES 1-3 wherein the fuse retainer means is shown in the unlocked position.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the fuse retainer means of FIGURE 4 with the fuse retainer means being in the locked position.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the fuse retainer means of FIGURES 4 and 5 showing the fuse retainer means in greater detail.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to- FIGURE 3, there is shown therein a fuse retainer means 10 designed in accordance with the principles of the instant invention. The fuse retainer means 10 is comprised of a single member of spring-type, preferably nonferrous material which is formed, or bent, at one end thereof so as to form the tubular or cylindrical portions 11 and 12. Extending from the tubular portions 11 and 12 are first and second projecting portions 13 and 14. It can clearly be seen that the projecting portions 13 and 14 extend from the cylindrical sections 11 'and 12 at different angular orientations. The second projecting portion 14 is cut and bent in such a manner as to form four projecting ears 15-18 respectively. It can be seen that the projecting ears 15, 16 and 18 extend downwardly, While the projecting ear 17. extends upwardly, or in a direction diametrically opposed to the direct-ion which the ears 15, 16 and 18 extend. The ear 15 is bent in such a manner as to form a kink 15a therein.

Turning now to FIGURES 1 and 2 which show the manner of use of fuse retainer means 10, there is shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 a portion of a fuse assembly 20 having first and second fuses 21 and 22 mounted therein. Only one end of the fuse assembly in FIGURES 1 and 2 is shown for purposes of clarity. The fuse assembly is further comprised of a support member 23 having a base 'against the fuse cap 21a.

portion 24 with suitable apertures 25a and 25b for mounting base24 to any desired support means. The base portion 24 has first and second integrally formed portions 26 and 27 extending therefrom with each of these portions provided with a tapped aperture 26a and 27a respecupwardly extend-ing arms 33 and 34 which are bent so as to assume the general circular configuration of the fuse cap such as for example the fuse cap 21a of fuse 21. The upper ends are bent in the manner shown at the upper end 35 of arm 33, for example, so that the arm portion 36 extends downwardly again and so that its lower marginal edge 37 bears against the projecting portion 36. In a like manner, arm 34 is bent at 38 so that the downwardly projecting portion 39 has its lower marginal edge 4% bearing against the projecting portion 27. This arrangement causes the arm portions 33 and 34 of the fuse clip to be urged towards one another thereby acting to secure the cap 21a between the arm portions 33 and 34.

The assembly 20 of FIGURES 1 and 2 is designed to mount the first and second fuses 21 and 22 in a parallel arrangement. These fuses are electrically connected by a metallic member 41 having two openings (not shown) for receiving the fastening means 42 and 43 to rigidly couple the metallic connecting link 41 to the fuse caps 21a and 22a of fuses 21 and 22 respectively. It should be understood that the opposite ends of fuses 21 and 22 are connected in a similar manner.

The uppermost fuse 22 is supported in a fuse clip 44 which can best be seen in FIGURE 1, which is secured to a rigid member 45 which is supported a spaced distance above space member 23 by means of the elongated bolts 28 and 29. The spacing between members 23 and 45 is maintained by means of sleeves 46 and 47 surrounding the elongated bolts 28 and 29 and bearing against the upper and lower surfaces respectively of the members 23 and 45.

The fuse clip 44 for holding the uppermost fuse 21 is mounted by suitable fastening means 48 to the underside of rigid member 45. This fuse clip has a configuration similar to the fuse clip 30 and also functions in a similar manner so as to retain fuse 22 within the clip 44.

The fuse retainer means 10, in FIGURE 1, is shown in the unlocked position and is mounted to the assembly 20 in such a way that its tubular portions 11 and 12 are mounted around the sleeve 47 and so that the projecting portion 14 extends generally away from the fuse clips 30 and 44.

In order to move the fuse retainer means 10 into the locked position the projecting portion 14 is rotated about sleeve 47 from the position shown in FIGURE 1 to the position shown in FIGURE 2 such that the projecting ears 16 and 18 move into engagement with and bear These projecting portions exert a force against the fuse cap 21a urging it downward and aganst the fuse clip arms 33 and 34. A third projecting car 15 of projecting portion 14 locks itself about sleeve 46 so as to further lock the fuse retainer member 10 in the locked position. The fuse retainer member 10 may readily and easily be moved from the locked position shown in FIGURE 1 by either applying a force against characteristic, causing the fuse retainer member to be maintained in the locking position indefinitely.

Since the projecting ears 16 and 18 bear against fuse cap 21a, this force is further exerted against fuse cap 22a through the connecting link 41 so that while only one fuse retainer means 10 is employed in FIGURE 2 it serves to retain the upper fuse cap 22a as well as the lower fuse cap 21a. It should be further noted that the fuse retainer member of the instant invention will also be used in fuse assemblies of less than or more than two parallel connected fuses with the number of parallel connecting fuses in no way lending to the novelty of the instant invention. It should further be understood that the opposite end of a fuse assembly may be provided with a like mounting.

FIGURE 6 shows an alternative embodiment 50 for the fuse retainer means of FIGURES 1-3, which embodiment is comprised of a single member of spring-type, preferably non-ferrous metallic means shaped in such a manner as to form tubular portions 51 and 52 at opposite ends thereof. The fuse retainer member is further so cut and formed as to provide first, second and third projecting ears 53, 54 and 55 respectively.

FIGURES 4 and 5 show a fuse assembly 20 in which the fuse retainer means 50 is employed and wherein like elements of the fuse assembly 20' to the assembly 20 of FIGURES l and 2 are designated by like numerals.

portions 51 and 52 are positioned so as to surround sleeve 46 so as to orient the projecting ears 53, 54 and 55 in the manner shown in the figures. FIGURE 4 shows the retaining member 50 in the unlocked position. In this position the projecting ear 54 is substantially in close proximity to the fuse cap 21a. The fuse retaining means 50 is then rotated from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to the position shown in FIGURE 5, moving the projecting ear 54 away from fuse cap 21a and simultaneously therewith moving the projecting ear 53 above the top of fuse cap 21a causing a downward force to be exerted against fuse cap 21a acting to lock the fuse cap into engagement with the arms 33 and 34 of the fuse clip. The retaining member 50 may be readily moved away from the locking position by applying a force to either the projecting ear 54 or 55 so as to release fuse cap 21a from the exertive force of projecting ear 53. In the same manner as previously described the fuse retainer member 50 imparts such a downward force to the upper fuse cap 22a due to the connecting link 41 which rigidly couples fuse caps 21a and 22a together.

The fuse retainer assembly described herein in no way interferes with the second fuse cap 22a or with a pullout ring (not shown) which may normally be attached thereto [and is clearly visible in both its locked and unlocked positions so as to be easily identified as to its position and further easily changed from one position to another without the need for any special tools. The mounting is relatively simple and lends itself readily to already existing field equipment without any change whatsoever to such equipment to provide the fuse retaining feature.

Although there has been described a preferred embodiment of this novel invention, many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appending claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a support assembly which includes a plate, a pair of spaced apart rods secured to said plate, and fuse clip means secured to said plate for receiving a fuse end cap; a fuse retainer member comprising:

a tubular first portion pivotally mounted to a first one of said rods; and

a second portion projecting substantially at right angles to said first portion, said second portion being substantially flat and having In the arrangement shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the tubular first and second ears depending in a first'direction from said second portion, and

a third ear depending from said second portion adjacent one of said first and second ears and having an arcuate profile, said third ear and said one of said first and second ears defining a locking device adapted to be secured to the other one of said rods;

said fuse retainer member being pivotally movable between a fuse retaining position in which said locking device is secured to said other one of said rods and said first and second ears engage and bias said fuse end cap against said fuse clip, and a non-retaining position in which said locking device and first and second ears are disengaged from said other one of said rods and said fuse end cap, respectively.

2. The fuse retainer means of claim 1 wherein said fuse retainer member is formed of a spring material.

3. The fuse retainer means of claim 1 wherein said fuse retainer member is formed of a spring material and is metallic; said fuse retainer member first and second portions being integral with one another and being formed from a single flat sheet of substantially uniform thickness.

4. For use with a support assembly which includes a plate, a pair of spaced apart rods secured to said plate, and fuse clip means secured to said plate for receiving a fuse end cap; a fuse retainer member comprising:

a tubular first portion pivotally mounted to one of said pairs of rods;

one another so as to form substantially a right angle; said fuse retainer member being pivotally movable between a fuse retainer position in which said first ear engages and biases said fuse end cap into rigid engagement with said fuse clip, and a non-retaining position in which said first ear is disengaged from said fuse end cap; said second ear being readily accesisble to rotate said fuse retainer member between its fuse retaining and non-retaining position. 5. The fuse retainer means of claim 4 wherein said fuse retainer member is formed of a spring material.

6. The fuse retainer means of claim 4 wherein said fuse retainer member is formed of a spring material and is metallic; said fuse retainer member being formed from a single flat sheet of substantially uniform thickness.

BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

H. A. LEWITTER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH A SUPPORT ASSEMBLY WHICH INDLUDES A PLATE, A PAIR OF SPACED APART RODS SECURED TO SAID PLATE, AND FUSE CLIP MEANS SECURED TO SAID PLATE FOR RECEIVING A FUSE END CAP; A FUSE RETAINER MEMBER COMPRISING: A TUBULAR FIRST PORTION PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO A FIRST ONE OF SAID RODS; AND A SECOND PORTION PROJECTING SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID FIRST PORTION, SAID SECOND PORTION BEING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT AND HAVING FIRST AND SECOND EARS DEPENDING IN A FIRST DIRECTION FROM SAID SECOND PORTION, AND A THIRD EAR DEPENDING FROM SAID SECOND PORTION ADJACENT ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND EARS AND HAVING AN ARCUATE PROFILE, SAID THIRD EAR AND SAID ONE OF SAID FIRST AND SECOND EARS DEFINING A LOCKING DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE OTHER ONE OF SAID RODS; SAID FUSE RETAINER MEMBER BEING PIVOTALLY MOVABLE BETWEEN A FUSE RETAINING POSITION IN WHICH SAID LOCKING DEVICE IS SECURED TO SAID OTHER ONE OF SAID RODS AND SAID FIRST AND SECOND EARS ENGAGE AND BIAS SAID FUSE END CAP AGAINST SAID FUSE CLIP, AND A NON-RETAINING POSITION IN WHICH SAID LOCKING DEVICE AND FIRS AND SECOND EARS ARE DISENGAGED FROM SAID OTHER ONE OF SAID RODS AND SAID FUSE END CAP, RESPECTIVELY. 